Why upgrade older DVD movies to Blu-ray?? - Blu-ray Forum

icyteddy · 01-10-2009, 11:16 PM

I am curious. I know some of you would like to replace some or ALL of your older dvd library to Blu Ray. My question is why? Personally for me, I do not see the point of double dipping my expense for older movies that was release before the HD era just to have it in suppose 1080P. For example movies like Terminator 2, Predator, Jaws, Robocop, all these classics that was already release on dvd years, why would you want to replace it with blu ray version? I watch Robocop in Blu ray and was disapointed. And it cost $10 more just because it is blu ray??? I did a comparison, the dvd version vs the blu ray version, and I hate to admit it, but on some way the dvd is just as good or better picture quality as the blu ray. Those movies were recorded in pre HD era so it was not made to be view in HD format. The closes is pop it in my Blu ray player and let it upscale.

For me, I just recently started my Blu ray library and I will not replace ANY of my DVD movies with blu ray. Movies that was made before the HD era is good enough on dvd with all the bonus features and special edition. Plus some of the newer blu ray release, it is bare bone compare to their dvd conterpart such as Terminator 2, Lion, Witch and Wardrobe, etc. Please dont flame on me, but I just want others input.

italiano17771 · 01-10-2009, 11:19 PM

there are some that i have watched that have had average PQ, but overall the PQ & AQ is far superior in blu ray.

Sussudio · 01-10-2009, 11:21 PM

i asked this question a few months ago, and i'll give you the answer i received. film has a MUCH greater resolution than HD, which is why some older movies have such incredible bluray transfers (i.e. Casablanca). as for robocop and the like, there are certain blurays whose transfers were not that spectacular. there may be another release in the works, especially considering the current robo blu has zero special features. if companies want people to start buying the bluray versions, they should imo at the VERY least be able to match the dvd versions and that includes porting over all special features.

overall however, nearly every bluray is the best transfer of a movie to date. while some may not be that much greater than their dvd counterparts, they are generally better to some degree.

atomik kinder · 01-10-2009, 11:22 PM

Because, frankly, a lot of the older DVDs that I have are nonanamorphic widescreen. Some of the very early DVDs that I have look like crap, even upscaled. They look okay on a regular SDTV, but the artifacting is horrible. I have a lot of very old DVDs since I started collecting in late '97.

tntkain · 01-10-2009, 11:24 PM

Personally we never bought many dvd movies. The quality just wasn't worth paying for. Since we went blu, we buy lots of movies. Plus after watching blu-ray, dvd quality sucks. The picture is bad, the sound is bad

enialal · 01-10-2009, 11:28 PM

Blu-ray has much better AQ and PQ compared to DVD. But unfortunately, some transfers were not that you know.. good. so you will think that DVD version is already fine. But you can always read reviews so that you will be guided in choosing the movie that you should buy.

The Don · 01-10-2009, 11:33 PM

it depends on the person...when you ask why...you are asking only a select few because there aren't that many people here that would replace their entire library...

...or are you trying to get us to convince you?...

it's either you're sold or you aren't.....

I double dip only certain titles.....but movies like Dumb and Dumber don't get the double dip because it's pointless...

you have to look at more than one review and then consider if it's worth re-buying....

I re-purchased Enter the Dragon because of all the bonus features it has....it has the original theatrical release which is grain hell....and then the DVD release....and then the Blu-ray release all on the disc and everything you can imagine on the topic of Bruce Lee...

another movie is 2001: A space Odyssey....this movie was originally made for HD viewing imo...

same goes for Transformers....even though I did not purchase this on DVD...Blu only...

I also plan to double dip on Pulp Fiction if it appears worth it because the DVD version looks terrible...I've even seen video of it on other Blu's that I own and it was shown in 4:3 I think.....

Fight Club can be another possibility....

sonnyworld85 · 01-10-2009, 11:34 PM

I know what you mean, and the only double dip I did were the Kill Bill films (in which the HD versions DESTROY the DVD hands down). Some movies I won't re-purchase just because they are on Blu-ray, for example, The Shawshank Redemption. I payed $10 for the two disc DVD edition, and I'm not willing to shell out $30 for the HD release just yet.

DetroitSportsFan · 01-10-2009, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icyteddy

I am curious. I know some of you would like to replace some or ALL of your older dvd library to Blu Ray. My question is why? Personally for me, I do not see the point of double dipping my expense for older movies that was release before the HD era just to have it in suppose 1080P. For example movies like Terminator 2, Predator, Jaws, Robocop, all these classics that was already release on dvd years, why would you want to replace it with blu ray version? I watch Robocop in Blu ray and was disapointed. And it cost $10 more just because it is blu ray??? I did a comparison, the dvd version vs the blu ray version, and I hate to admit it, but on some way the dvd is just as good or better picture quality as the blu ray. Those movies were recorded in pre HD era so it was not made to be view in HD format. The closes is pop it in my Blu ray player and let it upscale.

For me, I just recently started my Blu ray library and I will not replace ANY of my DVD movies with blu ray. Movies that was made before the HD era is good enough on dvd with all the bonus features and special edition. Plus some of the newer blu ray release, it is bare bone compare to their dvd conterpart such as Terminator 2, Lion, Witch and Wardrobe, etc. Please dont flame on me, but I just want others input.

What is this "before the HD era" talk? Many of these older movies you speak of are shot on film at a higher resolution than even Blu-Ray can show.

There are some poor BD releases, but saying that the DVD release is the same or better is an exaggeration.

As for upgrading, I am getting every movie I like and want to own on Blu, whether I owned the DVD or not. I like the better picture and sound. If I was happy with inferior picture and sound, I would have stuck with DVDs.

DVD is still a viable format. There are DVD releases that will take a long time to come to Blu, and some won't be released on Blu at all. But any releases that come to Blu that I want, I'm upgrading.

crazyBLUE · 01-10-2009, 11:45 PM

All though I did not have A massive dvd collection ! I have double-dipped around 65 or70 of them ! just because of PQ & AQ !!!!

Geezer00003 · 01-10-2009, 11:48 PM

Two words.........BLADE RUNNER

FIDDYPOP · 01-10-2009, 11:49 PM

There is every reason to upgrade the old movie collection. The only reason for me is income. Movies are just far more enjoyable on Blu Ray. everything DVD does Blu Ray does better.

Kynch · 01-10-2009, 11:49 PM

It's funny, a few months ago I was asking what people were doing with Blu-ray and I was outweirded by the people who said they were replacing movies they already owned on DVD.

Look at me today, I've already replaced Band Of Brothers, the first four Harry Potter movies, the two Chronicles of Riddick movies, The Shawshank Redemption (the DVD looked like poo to start with so it was acceptable), The Goonies, Terminator 2 (the French transfer)... and there you have almost half of my current blutecca...

I seriously don't know why, but reading Detroit's post, I see what he means: I just buy movies I like and that I know I'll still enjoy 20 years from now when DVDs are extinct and that my children will laugh at me for digging and ole DVD out to show them a movie made in the old days.

Plus, I know I'm going to move out of here at some point, so I want to have a few Blu-rays to bring with me and the same DVD counterparts back home for when I go back there just to watch.

Of course a movie's awesomeness won't change whether it's on DVD, BD, VHS or Betamax...
I'm just looking ahead and know that I'll also have an audio system up to par at some point (that decodes DTS-HD MA and TrueHD) so it's not all a loss.

Plus... I mean, come on... Schwarzenegger in HD, how could I refuse myself that pleasure?

Wing Nut Jay · 01-10-2009, 11:56 PM

It's a personal choice. I'll double dip (in some cases triple or quadruple dip) on movies I love. Some movies I'm marginally fond of and may or may not buy them again on BR.

But the PQ on the ones I have bought on BR make my DVD copies look like an old console TV during a snowstorm. Even some of the shoddiest transfers (Superman Returns, I'm looking in your direction) are miles better PQ wise than the best DVDs. I have not seen an upscaled DVD yet that fooled me into thinking I was watching BR.

RiseDarthVader · 01-10-2009, 11:58 PM

Great next the OP is going to be complaigning about grain.

icyteddy · 01-10-2009, 11:59 PM

For those of you that did replace your older dvd movies ( when I mean older I meant 80s, 90s etc,) can you tell me what movies you upgraded and tell me was it worth it in terms of transfer of quality, special features and pricewise and would you recommend it.

crazyBLUE · 01-11-2009, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIDDYPOP

There is every reason to upgrade the old movie collection. The only reason for me is income. Movies are just far more enjoyable on Blu Ray. everything DVD does Blu Ray does better.

+1

AKORIS · 01-11-2009, 12:06 AM

I really can't word this any better! 100% agree

There are some poor BD releases, but saying that the DVD release is the same or better is an exaggeration.

As for upgrading, I am getting every movie I like and want to own on Blu, whether I owned the DVD or not. I like the better picture and sound. If I was happy with inferior picture and sound, I would have stuck with DVDs.

DVD is still a viable format. There are DVD releases that will take a long time to come to Blu, and some won't be released on Blu at all. But any releases that come to Blu that I want, I'm upgrading.[/QUOTE]

Squozen · 01-11-2009, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icyteddy

For those of you that did replace your older dvd movies ( when I mean older I meant 80s, 90s etc,) can you tell me what movies you upgraded and tell me was it worth it in terms of transfer of quality, special features and pricewise and would you recommend it.

80's and 90's films are 'old'?

Jesus. Most of my favourites are from the 40's and 70's.

The only discs that I have with transfers that are barely better than DVD are Heathers, Edward Scissorhands and So I Married An Axe Murderer, and the problem is not that the films are old, it's that they're using crappy masters. They might technically be 'high definition' masters, but they were made 10-15 years ago in some cases - technology has moved on.

You really need to understand - film negative looks AMAZING compared to DVD. It even surpasses Blu-ray. What we're seeing here (subpar transfers) is no different to what happened when DVD replaced Laserdisc - a lot of early DVD transfers were rubbish as well, because they were sourced from old Laserdisc (and in some case, VHS) masters.

If a Blu-ray transfer looks average now, wait for the double-dip when the studio pays the big bucks for a remaster (eg. The Godfather, Blade Runner, Close Encounters).

Variable · 01-11-2009, 12:06 AM

I will rebuy any and every dvd I have on blu because it looks and sounds better, period. I don't really think there's much else to say.

I've never seen or even heard of a blu transfer that wasn't better than the dvd, even the bad ones. maybe there's one or two out there somewhere but that's not enough to effect your decision on every title.

and all the stuff about these movies being made pre hd is literally meaningless.

01-10-2009, 11:16 PM	#1
icyteddy Expert Member Member since:Jan 2009 Location:San Francisco Bay Area 4K collection:58 Blu-ray collection:336 DVD collection:144 Trading Score:11	Why upgrade older DVD movies to Blu-ray?? I am curious. I know some of you would like to replace some or ALL of your older dvd library to Blu Ray. My question is why? Personally for me, I do not see the point of double dipping my expense for older movies that was release before the HD era just to have it in suppose 1080P. For example movies like Terminator 2, Predator, Jaws, Robocop, all these classics that was already release on dvd years, why would you want to replace it with blu ray version? I watch Robocop in Blu ray and was disapointed. And it cost $10 more just because it is blu ray??? I did a comparison, the dvd version vs the blu ray version, and I hate to admit it, but on some way the dvd is just as good or better picture quality as the blu ray. Those movies were recorded in pre HD era so it was not made to be view in HD format. The closes is pop it in my Blu ray player and let it upscale. For me, I just recently started my Blu ray library and I will not replace ANY of my DVD movies with blu ray. Movies that was made before the HD era is good enough on dvd with all the bonus features and special edition. Plus some of the newer blu ray release, it is bare bone compare to their dvd conterpart such as Terminator 2, Lion, Witch and Wardrobe, etc. Please dont flame on me, but I just want others input.

01-10-2009, 11:21 PM	#3
Sussudio Blu-ray Champion Member since:Sep 2008 Blu-ray collection:1 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:11	i asked this question a few months ago, and i'll give you the answer i received. film has a MUCH greater resolution than HD, which is why some older movies have such incredible bluray transfers (i.e. Casablanca). as for robocop and the like, there are certain blurays whose transfers were not that spectacular. there may be another release in the works, especially considering the current robo blu has zero special features. if companies want people to start buying the bluray versions, they should imo at the VERY least be able to match the dvd versions and that includes porting over all special features. overall however, nearly every bluray is the best transfer of a movie to date. while some may not be that much greater than their dvd counterparts, they are generally better to some degree. Last edited by Sussudio; 01-10-2009 at 11:29 PM.

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01-10-2009, 11:19 PM	#2
italiano17771 Active Member Member since:Jan 2009 Location:PA Home Theater Gallery:1 Blu-ray collection:177	there are some that i have watched that have had average PQ, but overall the PQ & AQ is far superior in blu ray.

01-10-2009, 11:22 PM	#4
atomik kinder Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jun 2007 Location:Omaha NE 4K collection:- Blu-ray collection:- DVD collection:-	Because, frankly, a lot of the older DVDs that I have are nonanamorphic widescreen. Some of the very early DVDs that I have look like crap, even upscaled. They look okay on a regular SDTV, but the artifacting is horrible. I have a lot of very old DVDs since I started collecting in late '97.

01-10-2009, 11:24 PM	#5
tntkain Senior Member Member since:Jul 2007 Blu-ray collection:103 Blu-ray reviews: 2	Personally we never bought many dvd movies. The quality just wasn't worth paying for. Since we went blu, we buy lots of movies. Plus after watching blu-ray, dvd quality sucks. The picture is bad, the sound is bad

01-10-2009, 11:28 PM	#6
enialal Active Member Member since:Dec 2008 Location:Philippines Blu-ray collection:5	Blu-ray has much better AQ and PQ compared to DVD. But unfortunately, some transfers were not that you know.. good. so you will think that DVD version is already fine. But you can always read reviews so that you will be guided in choosing the movie that you should buy.

01-10-2009, 11:33 PM	#7
The Don Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Apr 2006 Blu-ray reviews:12 Trading Score:2	it depends on the person...when you ask why...you are asking only a select few because there aren't that many people here that would replace their entire library... ...or are you trying to get us to convince you?... it's either you're sold or you aren't..... I double dip only certain titles.....but movies like Dumb and Dumber don't get the double dip because it's pointless... you have to look at more than one review and then consider if it's worth re-buying.... I re-purchased Enter the Dragon because of all the bonus features it has....it has the original theatrical release which is grain hell....and then the DVD release....and then the Blu-ray release all on the disc and everything you can imagine on the topic of Bruce Lee... another movie is 2001: A space Odyssey....this movie was originally made for HD viewing imo... same goes for Transformers....even though I did not purchase this on DVD...Blu only... I also plan to double dip on Pulp Fiction if it appears worth it because the DVD version looks terrible...I've even seen video of it on other Blu's that I own and it was shown in 4:3 I think..... Fight Club can be another possibility....

01-10-2009, 11:34 PM	#8
sonnyworld85 Senior Member Member since:Nov 2008 Location:Canada Home Theater Gallery:10 Blu-ray collection:25 Blu-ray reviews:7	I know what you mean, and the only double dip I did were the Kill Bill films (in which the HD versions DESTROY the DVD hands down). Some movies I won't re-purchase just because they are on Blu-ray, for example, The Shawshank Redemption. I payed $10 for the two disc DVD edition, and I'm not willing to shell out $30 for the HD release just yet.

01-10-2009, 11:45 PM	#10
crazyBLUE Moderator Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Aug 2008 Location:Pacific Northwest Home Theater Gallery:89 Blu-ray collection:479 DVD collection:1 Blu-ray reviews: 38 Trading Score:30	All though I did not have A massive dvd collection ! I have double-dipped around 65 or70 of them ! just because of PQ & AQ !!!!

01-10-2009, 11:48 PM	#11
Geezer00003 Senior Member Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Dec 2008 Location:GTA Ontario, Canada Home Theater Gallery:12 4K collection:207 Blu-ray collection:669	Two words.........BLADE RUNNER

01-10-2009, 11:49 PM	#12
FIDDYPOP Expert Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Chi-Town Home Theater Gallery:8 Blu-ray collection:444 Blu-ray reviews:1	There is every reason to upgrade the old movie collection. The only reason for me is income. Movies are just far more enjoyable on Blu Ray. everything DVD does Blu Ray does better.

01-10-2009, 11:49 PM	#13
Kynch Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Oct 2008 Location:UK Home Theater Gallery:1 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:60	It's funny, a few months ago I was asking what people were doing with Blu-ray and I was outweirded by the people who said they were replacing movies they already owned on DVD. Look at me today, I've already replaced Band Of Brothers, the first four Harry Potter movies, the two Chronicles of Riddick movies, The Shawshank Redemption (the DVD looked like poo to start with so it was acceptable), The Goonies, Terminator 2 (the French transfer)... and there you have almost half of my current blutecca... I seriously don't know why, but reading Detroit's post, I see what he means: I just buy movies I like and that I know I'll still enjoy 20 years from now when DVDs are extinct and that my children will laugh at me for digging and ole DVD out to show them a movie made in the old days. Plus, I know I'm going to move out of here at some point, so I want to have a few Blu-rays to bring with me and the same DVD counterparts back home for when I go back there just to watch. Of course a movie's awesomeness won't change whether it's on DVD, BD, VHS or Betamax... I'm just looking ahead and know that I'll also have an audio system up to par at some point (that decodes DTS-HD MA and TrueHD) so it's not all a loss. Plus... I mean, come on... Schwarzenegger in HD, how could I refuse myself that pleasure?

01-10-2009, 11:56 PM	#14
Wing Nut Jay Member Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Sacramento, CA Blu-ray reviews: 1	It's a personal choice. I'll double dip (in some cases triple or quadruple dip) on movies I love. Some movies I'm marginally fond of and may or may not buy them again on BR. But the PQ on the ones I have bought on BR make my DVD copies look like an old console TV during a snowstorm. Even some of the shoddiest transfers (Superman Returns, I'm looking in your direction) are miles better PQ wise than the best DVDs. I have not seen an upscaled DVD yet that fooled me into thinking I was watching BR.

01-10-2009, 11:58 PM	#15
RiseDarthVader Power Member Member since:Sep 2008 Location:Australia Blu-ray collection:136	Great next the OP is going to be complaigning about grain.

01-10-2009, 11:59 PM	#16
icyteddy Expert Member Member since:Jan 2009 Location:San Francisco Bay Area 4K collection:58 Blu-ray collection:336 DVD collection:144 Trading Score:11	For those of you that did replace your older dvd movies ( when I mean older I meant 80s, 90s etc,) can you tell me what movies you upgraded and tell me was it worth it in terms of transfer of quality, special features and pricewise and would you recommend it.

01-11-2009, 12:06 AM	#18
AKORIS Blu-ray Prince Member since:Jul 2008 Location:Beautiful Pacific Northwest 4K collection:662 Blu-ray collection:3655 Blu-ray reviews:19	I really can't word this any better! 100% agree There are some poor BD releases, but saying that the DVD release is the same or better is an exaggeration. As for upgrading, I am getting every movie I like and want to own on Blu, whether I owned the DVD or not. I like the better picture and sound. If I was happy with inferior picture and sound, I would have stuck with DVDs. DVD is still a viable format. There are DVD releases that will take a long time to come to Blu, and some won't be released on Blu at all. But any releases that come to Blu that I want, I'm upgrading.[/QUOTE]

01-11-2009, 12:06 AM	#20
Variable Special Member Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Northern New Jersey Blu-ray collection:12	I will rebuy any and every dvd I have on blu because it looks and sounds better, period. I don't really think there's much else to say. I've never seen or even heard of a blu transfer that wasn't better than the dvd, even the bad ones. maybe there's one or two out there somewhere but that's not enough to effect your decision on every title. and all the stuff about these movies being made pre hd is literally meaningless.

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